TV Coverage: What the heck is going on?

[Merlinsky]

Ok there's a point where we're going to have to deal with NBC's hokey pokey with hockey per the schedule. Those things never end on time and that's a nutty situation to begin with. Why is ESPN scheduled to overlap though? I know it probably means they'll get to cover what NBC pre-empts but it's built into the schedule for TV Guide. Did they plan (with amazing foresight for network programming given their past record) for a pre-emption and give ESPN permission to cover it since it wasn't likely to be an overlap of horse racing coverage? Seems pretty generous in one way but odd in another.

And Sports South is covering TVG Racing Coast to Coast. I know they don't get to show the same stuff licensed to ESPN and NBC but they'll undoubtedly be talking about it a lot and showing some stuff. Crazy but I thought they were trying to raise ratings for racing coverage. With a potential 3 channel overlap here, is this too much of a good thing? Don't forget, Barbaro: A Nation's Horse is supposed to air at I believe 8pm after the Derby. Of course who the heck knows. They're making up things as they go along.

PS. Is anybody else finding the Breakfast at Churchill Downs desk chats a little creepy? Inevitably someone is practically spooning at the desk they're so close together and scrunched over half the time.

[paisjpq]

did that julep guy just say it's been 25 years since secretariat's triple crown? sad if he did.

[Payson Dave]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

did that julep guy just say it's been 25 years since secretariat's triple crown? sad if he did.

Yeah that is what he said...sad that they can't get something as easy as that correct

[ebensen]

HD was made for horse racing. I don't understand why ESPN won't bring out the high def cameras for this sport. At least NBC will have the Derby in HD.

And I'm still waiting to learn something I didn't already know from the ESPN coverage. Hank always looks so incredibly lost. Hey Hank, the camera's over here, bud...

Good luck everyone.

[ArlJim78]

Each year I love to find out all the details of the Brownstable Brown party, like what celebs are there etc. Oh, and and segments showing how to make a mint julep are terribly riveting.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Each year I love to find out all the details of the Brownstable Brown party, like what celebs are there etc. Oh, and and segments showing how to make a mint julep are terribly riveting.

such cynicism so early in the morning...trying to make me fall in love with you?

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

such cynicism so early in the morning...trying to make me fall in love with you?

oh yeah, I was born cynical and can't turn it off.

[saratoga guy]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Why is ESPN scheduled to overlap though? I know it probably means they'll get to cover what NBC pre-empts but it's built into the schedule for TV Guide. Did they plan (with amazing foresight for network programming given their past record) for a pre-emption and give ESPN permission to cover it since it wasn't likely to be an overlap of horse racing coverage?

The first half-hour of NBC's coverage (the overlap period) is supposed to be a "red-carpet" type of "pre-show".

Since it was just announced a week or so ago it seems like a late addition. Otherwise I doubt ESPN would have been allowed to overlap. But the i's were probably already dotted, and the t's crossed.

[57rick]

No Kenny Mayne on ESPN today...Thank God...not yet anyway!
I don't think he's funny at all.

[Merlinsky]

I think we can all stop looking for a horse in the Derby. It's quite clear who should be picked. Thanks to the handicapping special airing at 5:30am in the bloody morning, courtesy of the segment talking to Baffert and Zito, our no shows this year, we should all be going for "Nobiz but Showbiz." Thanks Nick.

One of these days someone will tell Hank it's usually a good idea to take more than one breath whilst speaking on camera. Total nerves issue is weird because you'd think eventually you'd relax on camera. Forget "Hammerin" Hank. It's Hank "I'm still nervous after all these years" Goldberg.

[ArlJim78]

When you watch the races from Churchill today, in order to actually catch a glimpse of your horse on the backstretch, your eye will have to deal with, satellite dishes, towers, trees, bushes, and tents, all of which obscure the viewing of the race at some point. In fact on the turn the whole field is obscured for several seconds by the mammoth box structure that they have erected on the infield. This is a critical part of the race and you won't be able to follow you horse making a move in the derby so that so drunken people in boxes can have a blast.

I find this terribly irritating but not surprising as this industry seems to never think about the customers experience.

They should rename it the most exciting 1 minute, 55 seconds in sports to allow for these obstructions.

Arljim you are good. The brotha speaks the word of horse lords can i get an amen..

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

When you watch the races from Churchill today, in order to actually catch a glimpse of your horse on the backstretch, your eye will have to deal with, satellite dishes, towers, trees, bushes, and tents, all of which obscure the viewing of the race at some point. In fact on the turn the whole field is obscured for several seconds by the mammoth box structure that they have erected on the infield. This is a critical part of the race and you won't be able to follow you horse making a move in the derby so that so drunken people in boxes can have a blast.

I find this terribly irritating but not surprising as this industry seems to never think about the customers experience.

They should rename it the most exciting 1 minute, 55 seconds in sports to allow for these obstructions.

Yeah i caught that during the Oaks day coverage. I went 'oh hell no'...Kinda like how I was after I saw the hockey set up before the Derby on NBC. It's the battle of the willfully stupid.

It'll be better than the coverage of the Man O'War/Sir Barton match race. You see them go around the turn, the crowd go flying to the left, and then they appear around the far turn. I'm still trying to see how to blame Churchill Downs for that one. I'm sure it's their fault somehow.

My Favorite Quote of the Week: Quint Kessenich -- "I promised Kenny Mayne I wouldn't ask you about Vietnam."

Jerry O'Connell, the host of the Eclipse Awards, just said his choice was Hard Spun and one of the reasons why is because he ran a big race at Turf Paradise six weeks ago.




























THUD

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Jerry O'Connell, the host of the Eclipse Awards, just said his choice was Hard Spun and one of the reasons why is because he ran a big race at Turf Paradise six weeks ago.

THUD

LMAO!
Just when you think you've heard the dumbest line yet.

Wasn't he the one they chose to host the Eclipse awards?

[paisjpq]

I was really hoping I just misheard him....guess not

Mario Pino
"I work alot of horses and I got a pretty good clock in my head."

HAHAHAHA! You can't make this sh.it up.

[Merlinsky]

lmao, I totally heart Mario for trying to sell that. If you can get Calvin to say he doesn't prefer being on the rail, it will make my day. These commentators and horsemen are getting punchy. No sleep, nerves, and a mint julep or three. It's a recipe for disaster and I'm loving every minute of it.

ETA: "I think for any Derby, you've got to have racing luck." --Tom Amos. That's no fair, it's like shooting fish in a barrel when they say things like this.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

When you watch the races from Churchill today, in order to actually catch a glimpse of your horse on the backstretch, your eye will have to deal with, satellite dishes, towers, trees, bushes, and tents, all of which obscure the viewing of the race at some point. In fact on the turn the whole field is obscured for several seconds by the mammoth box structure that they have erected on the infield. This is a critical part of the race and you won't be able to follow you horse making a move in the derby so that so drunken people in boxes can have a blast.

The ESPN producers must read derbytrail. Now instead of showing the section of the race that is obstructed by the tents, they cut away to the blimp shot for those five seconds which helps but still is disorienting to follow. As soon as you find your horse in the overhead shot they cut back and you have to re-adjust.

[Danzig]

you guys catch the jamie sanders interview?


YIKES